Enlightenment Figures
He believed if a government did not protect your rights you could overthrow them.
John Locke
These rights are given to you at birth by God and NOBODY can take them away
Natural Rights
A king with total control over their country
Absolute Monarchy
What document in the United States outlined the role of government and uses many ideas of the Enlightenment?
The Constitution
What is the Enlightenment?
The Age of Reason, where philosophers challenged traditional ideas of government and society.
She was one of the first feminist writers and mother to Mary Shelly
Mary Wollstonecraft
The belief god gave someone the right to rule and therefore can do no wrong
Divine Right
A government determined by the people (sometimes people decide the laws themselves)
Democracy (Direct Democracy)
How does the United States show a belief in natural rights?
The Bill of Rights protects all people in the United States with certain rights such as Speech and Religion. They were also specifically cited in the declaration of independence.
How did the Enlightenment use Science?
The Enlightenment applied the scientific method used by Newton to ask questions on human society.
This Sun King of France did not like the Enlightenment, but ruled for 72 years and built an impressive palace
Louis XIV
An agreement to give up some of your freedom so the government will protect you
Social Contract
A government ruled by religion, not very of the enlightenment.
theocracy
The United States is a representative democracy where we vote to select representatives that serve on our behalf. Most of the time we do not vote directly on laws.
Why did the Enlightenment happen?
The growing wealth in Europe from colonization, the expansion of centralized governments, rise in literacy, increased access to coffee, and centuries of devastating religious wars led to the Enlightenment.
He believed in direct democracy because of growing up in Geneva, Switzerland
Rousseau
A person before joining society or government
State of Nature
A government ruled by a few
oligarchy
How do we see the idea of a Social Contract in the United States?
Citizens are expected to obey laws but are able to vote for representatives that will protect their rights and advocate for themselves.
Why is the Enlightenment considered radical?
Since the enlightenment challenged tradition, it directly confronted ideas of absolute monarchy and divine right. It tried to change the way people see the role of government and law to one that serves people and makes society better.
This noble argued that government power should be divided
Baron de Montesquieu
To divide power into branches of government
Separation of Powers
What does the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch do?
Executive: Carry out the Law
Legislative: Make the Law
Judicial: Determine what is lawful
Who is the head of each of the 3 branches of government in the United States? Why is this so important?
President- executive, Congress- Legislative. Supreme Court- Judicial
They are supposed to check the powers of the others to maintain balance.
Example: Congress can pass a law, the president can veto it, Congress can overturn the veto with enough votes, the Supreme Court can rule a law unconstitutional.
How were the Kings of England different than the Kings of France? Why did Enlightenment thinkers use England as a good example?
England became a constitutional monarchy where kings had limited power and allowed for some representation of the people, while France still had an absolute monarchy.